Premier League

Newcastle, Pardew punish Cabaye

The transfer window is shut but the Rumor Mill has plenty to talk about.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says midfielder Yohan Cabaye has been punished for sitting out the first three games of the season.

Cabaye missed the Premier League matches against West Ham and Manchester City, as well as the Capital One Cup trip to Morecambe, after Arsenal put in a rejected bid for his services. However, the Frenchman has now apologized to Newcastle fans for his behavior and was given an ovation by them after Saturday's 2-1 win at Aston Villa.

And Pardew told the Chronicle: "He has been disciplined for his action. He has accepted it and we move on. It was accepted in good faith and his performance last week spoke a thousand words. It is about performances. Newcastle fans want to see him pull on the shirt and perform."

Pardew also admitted that he is slightly worried about Papiss Cisse's current lack of goals.

"That is a concern," said Pardew. "We have worked hard to find avenues for him to find that goal. Hopefully we can create more opportunities and we have competition for places."

Meanwhile, Pardew has called for Hatem Ben Arfa to be recalled by France given his recent form, but the player has his focus firmly set on Newcastle.

"I want to be like Ginola and Asprilla and entertain every week. We hope we can fill the stadium out and do something similar," he told the Evening Chronicle. There is such a big culture here and we want to continue it.

"There is respect from our fans for players of the past and now we want to be remembered in the same way by entertaining the fans. In Newcastle, there is such respect for the players. I was surprised at how much though. I'm a player now but when I'm finished, I hope it will be the same."

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